Thank you for sharing this. The impact of criticism about our bodies by aunties, some only by name, is not often talked about and has been normalized over time. My biggest critic was my mother and it spoke to her own insecurities and the internalized criticism she carried. 🙏🏽
I’m sorry you had to go through that growing up. Stories like that has made me super pretty conscious of how I not only talk about my own body out loud but also how I talk about my children’s bodies to them. And of course, to refrain from making comments about other people’s bodies. It is very hard to unlearn all of that generational talk that is so instinctive for so many of us.
I'm a menopausal woman in my 4th week on a GLP-1 and what's more shocking than how quickly it's working is how many other women have told me they're on it since I posted on Facebook that I was taking the jab.
It bummed me out that there's so much shame in everything associated with bodies and weight that they kept taking MEDICINE FOR THEIR HEALTH a secret.
Some douche on my doctor's post about her Women's Wellness program that includes GLP-1s said that they are a "terrible way to lose weight" and that I needed to "choose my hard."
I replied, "Why does weight loss have to be hard?"
That's revolutionary, no? Our culture doesn't really want us to lose weight. They want us to atone for the sin of being fat with pain and suffering. The idea that it can be made easier is insufferable.
Thank you for talking about your experience. I'm talking about mine LOUDLY.
Thank you for sharing your story, Lara. Your comment rang so true: “Our culture doesn't really want us to lose weight. They want us to atone for the sin of being fat with pain and suffering. The idea that it can be made easier is insufferable.”
I’m sure folks wonder why I’m not taking statins or other types of medication — why take something that has this super-sexy side effect? Well, first of all, that’s between my doctor and I, none of their business. Instead, I’ve learned that way of thinking exposes something deeply uncomfortable within themselves, ie their prejudices, or even just plain ol’ envy. Either way, it’s their problem, not mine. I’m not bothered by the thoughts or comments of folks whom I don’t esteem enough to seek their feedback in the first place. Thank goodness I learned that lesson long ago 😇
I love your writing for so many reasons. Thank you for sharing the vulnerability that develops our strength.
I used GLP-1s. My ob-gyn's office offered it when I went to an appointment with a perimenopause list of symptoms. Relative to weight gain, I wondered why couldn't I make any difference? I was hitting the stairmaster faithfully, eating better than I had since high school, and staying active. I was hesitant to take the jab, but also hopeful. And...it was like a secret remedy, and it wasn't just the weight loss. I could focus and I had more energy than I'd seen in months. I could walk right past deserts and not even care. It was like I was operating at a better level. After about 10 weeks, I had to stop using GLP-1s because my gall bladder went on strike (and quit, as it turned out).
Thank you for sharing your story and for giving us a forum to talk about it in good company! <3 K
Thank YOU, Jeannine, for sharing your experience! The sudden hushing of "food noise" is real, which is one reason why so many folks have found success with these life-saving drugs, and why researchers are investigating their use for other serious addictions. I'm sorry to hear about your gall bladder and I hope you can continue your progress forward.
Women continue to be second class citizens in this male dominated world, seen merely as objects of desire and possession.
This is one reason why so many women get plastic surgery, fake boobs, lip injections, hair extensions, and more in an attempt to emulate their younger selves.
Aging destroys outer beauty which can't be aided by any of these procedures. So, please find your inner strength to accept yourself as a lovely, intelligent, wonderful women of a certain age, along with the courage to ignore people who may gossip about superficial things that have little value. Love yourself exactly as you are.
Thanks Dianne and I agree women are still treated as objects by so many. However, I do want to make sure you understand why I’m taking this drug. As I write in my essay, taking medication that keeps my cholesterol levels in normal range IS finding the inner strength to be proactive in taking care of myself — hence, I do love myself and am prioritizing myself. I’m not taking Zepbound for superficial reasons at all. By maintaining vigilance over critical heart health markers, I’m making sure I CAN age naturally and be here for my kids, hopefully for decades to come. I hope you understand the difference.
Yes, of course I understand....everyone I know takes cholesterol meds. In fact, I had a mini-stroke eight yrs ago as my dose wasn't strong enough. Thankfully I survived, recovered, and my brain wasn't affected. Stay well, be happy, and enjoy life every day!!
Thank you for sharing this. The impact of criticism about our bodies by aunties, some only by name, is not often talked about and has been normalized over time. My biggest critic was my mother and it spoke to her own insecurities and the internalized criticism she carried. 🙏🏽
I’m sorry you had to go through that growing up. Stories like that has made me super pretty conscious of how I not only talk about my own body out loud but also how I talk about my children’s bodies to them. And of course, to refrain from making comments about other people’s bodies. It is very hard to unlearn all of that generational talk that is so instinctive for so many of us.
I'm a menopausal woman in my 4th week on a GLP-1 and what's more shocking than how quickly it's working is how many other women have told me they're on it since I posted on Facebook that I was taking the jab.
It bummed me out that there's so much shame in everything associated with bodies and weight that they kept taking MEDICINE FOR THEIR HEALTH a secret.
Some douche on my doctor's post about her Women's Wellness program that includes GLP-1s said that they are a "terrible way to lose weight" and that I needed to "choose my hard."
I replied, "Why does weight loss have to be hard?"
That's revolutionary, no? Our culture doesn't really want us to lose weight. They want us to atone for the sin of being fat with pain and suffering. The idea that it can be made easier is insufferable.
Thank you for talking about your experience. I'm talking about mine LOUDLY.
Thank you for sharing your story, Lara. Your comment rang so true: “Our culture doesn't really want us to lose weight. They want us to atone for the sin of being fat with pain and suffering. The idea that it can be made easier is insufferable.”
I’m sure folks wonder why I’m not taking statins or other types of medication — why take something that has this super-sexy side effect? Well, first of all, that’s between my doctor and I, none of their business. Instead, I’ve learned that way of thinking exposes something deeply uncomfortable within themselves, ie their prejudices, or even just plain ol’ envy. Either way, it’s their problem, not mine. I’m not bothered by the thoughts or comments of folks whom I don’t esteem enough to seek their feedback in the first place. Thank goodness I learned that lesson long ago 😇
I love your writing for so many reasons. Thank you for sharing the vulnerability that develops our strength.
I used GLP-1s. My ob-gyn's office offered it when I went to an appointment with a perimenopause list of symptoms. Relative to weight gain, I wondered why couldn't I make any difference? I was hitting the stairmaster faithfully, eating better than I had since high school, and staying active. I was hesitant to take the jab, but also hopeful. And...it was like a secret remedy, and it wasn't just the weight loss. I could focus and I had more energy than I'd seen in months. I could walk right past deserts and not even care. It was like I was operating at a better level. After about 10 weeks, I had to stop using GLP-1s because my gall bladder went on strike (and quit, as it turned out).
Thank you for sharing your story and for giving us a forum to talk about it in good company! <3 K
Thank YOU, Jeannine, for sharing your experience! The sudden hushing of "food noise" is real, which is one reason why so many folks have found success with these life-saving drugs, and why researchers are investigating their use for other serious addictions. I'm sorry to hear about your gall bladder and I hope you can continue your progress forward.
I loved this Sandhya. Thank you. ❤️
Thank you, Cynthia. You know more than most how body image can become so distorted.
Women continue to be second class citizens in this male dominated world, seen merely as objects of desire and possession.
This is one reason why so many women get plastic surgery, fake boobs, lip injections, hair extensions, and more in an attempt to emulate their younger selves.
Aging destroys outer beauty which can't be aided by any of these procedures. So, please find your inner strength to accept yourself as a lovely, intelligent, wonderful women of a certain age, along with the courage to ignore people who may gossip about superficial things that have little value. Love yourself exactly as you are.
Thanks Dianne and I agree women are still treated as objects by so many. However, I do want to make sure you understand why I’m taking this drug. As I write in my essay, taking medication that keeps my cholesterol levels in normal range IS finding the inner strength to be proactive in taking care of myself — hence, I do love myself and am prioritizing myself. I’m not taking Zepbound for superficial reasons at all. By maintaining vigilance over critical heart health markers, I’m making sure I CAN age naturally and be here for my kids, hopefully for decades to come. I hope you understand the difference.
Yes, of course I understand....everyone I know takes cholesterol meds. In fact, I had a mini-stroke eight yrs ago as my dose wasn't strong enough. Thankfully I survived, recovered, and my brain wasn't affected. Stay well, be happy, and enjoy life every day!!